Definition of "sistrum" [‖Sis•trum]

• A percussion instrument of ancient Egypt, Sumeria, and Rome consisting of metal rods or loops attached to a metal frame. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "A sistrum is a type of rattle that produced a clanging metallic sound."
• "Coming forward between the two rows of officials, she shook in the air above her head a small temple bell called the sistrum,"
• "Though officially labelled as "sistrum" in the CHIC database, I cannot shake the feeling that this is in fact a kithara - an original primitive one."